Combing through my archives of Black Panther material I came across the image above from the artist Emory Douglas. I imagine that they had very specific ideas about the level of violence and respect for human rights across the categories of law enforcement. These are likely shared by others around the world. I wonder what animals fit into the last category in Egypt and Tunisia.

Researchers have spent a lot of time trying to understand what causes violent dissent, terrorism and rebellion but I am still curious why repression is not more consistently integrated into existing models. At least control for it. Or, are scholars afraid that it will knock everything else out of the equation? Rall does it again

The Beatles Taxman: Let me tell you how it will be, There’s one for you, nineteen for me, ‘Cause I’m the Taxman, Yeah, I’m the Taxman. Should five per cent appear too small, Be thankful I don’t take it all. ‘Cos I’m the Taxman, Yeah, I’m the Taxman. (If you drive a car ), I’ll tax the street, (If you try to sit ), I’ll tax your seat, (If you get too cold ), I’ll tax the heat, (If you take a walk ), I’ll tax your feet. Taxman. ‘Cause I’m the Taxman, Yeah, I’m the Taxman. Don’t ask me what I want it for (Taxman! Mister Wilson!) If you don’t want to pay some more (Taxman! Mister Heath!), ‘Cause I’m the Taxman, Yeah, I’m the Taxman. Now my advice for those who die, (Taxman!) Declare the pennies on your eyes, (Taxman!) ‘Cause I’m the Taxman, Yeah, I’m the Taxman. And you’re working for no-one but me, (Taxman). Sounds like a detailed discussion of exploitation and tactical adaptation to me

Christian Davenport's Caveat Civis - Citizen Beware

Given the elusive nature of state repression, it is crucial to be constantly aware of information as it becomes available. This is not always easy to do and with the different tactics, perpetrators, locations and victims of domestic spying, torture, arrest, detention, disappearances and mass killing, it is necessary to keep one's eyes open, along with one's mind - Citizen's Beware. The data is out there. We just need to find it and figure out what it means.